A court battle awaits after the Pittsburgh City Council preliminarily voted Tuesday to ban Marcellus Shale gas drilling inside city limits.

"We can not let this industry run unabated throughout our cities, towns and natural environment," City Councilman Doug Shields said.

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Shields' bill goes against court rulings that say that the state has authority over drilling. The council believes that its cause is worth taking that fight further.

"We need to build a foundation, as Councilman Shields said, that will protect us here in Pittsburgh and the commonwealth as a whole," City Councilman Patrick Dowd said.

City Council President Darlene Harris said that the council has concerns about the affects of drilling and industry chemicals on the health of residents.

The Marcellus Shale Coalition told WTAE Channel 4 Action News that the bill has questionable legal authority and that it discounts the positive economic affect of shale gas development on the region and its work force. The coalition also said that Shields wants to deny private property owners of their "fundamental rights."

The Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund Projects Director Ben Price said that his group will help with the council's fight, Channel 4 Action News reported.

"To not stand up for your rights is to give them away. To surrender them without a fight doesn't make much sense," Price said.

Eight council members voted in favor of the drilling ban. Councilman the Rev. Ricky Burgess was not present, Channel 4 Action News reported. His staff said that he will vote for the ban at next week's final vote.